Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Books read Feb 3 2015




Impulse   by EB Walters
This family saga book is mostly about Lex. He runs a business and in order for him to cinch the deal he has to be married and he sets out to find a woman who will help him out.
He has a list and there are mostly actresses on it because he would need the performance of a lifetime. Problem is at the movie set he runs into a stunt woman Jillian and she catches his eye and she knows about motorcycles which he has a business with one of his brothers.
She hears him out and agrees to help with a contract and some stipulations because she really needs the 350000. There are a lot of mysteries surrounding her stunt/daring performances with her brothers on their bikes. Much more mysteries come to light that help explain why someone is out to get her family.
Explosive sex scenes and I was surprised not a lot of the Fitzgerald family was here to help as in the other books in this series. Really enjoyed the new venture with Lex friends and the paying it forward aspect.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

 


A Sandy Seashell Shop Christmas: An Outer Banks E-short by Lisa Wingate
I have read other stories by this author and they are always enjoyable and heart warming.
Starts out with Tiff and she has Micah on the edge of the blanket and they are on the beach, it's not summer but Christmas is the next day. It's how they do the holiday now that Aaron isn't there and she vows to make it a real Christmas, next year for the small toddler.
She decides the time is now and they head to the party at Sandy's Seashell shack-come as you are.
They fit in while watching the live nativity scene among Micah playing in the sandbox in the store. She feels comfortable in knowing he may get to meet Santa for the first time. She also meets him, Jason and they come to an understanding when he notices the coins hanging from her necklace-they match a set he has...
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.




Gone Girl by  Gilliam Flynn
Starts out with Nick and Amy and their marriage has taken a wrong turn. Nick used to work in the magazine field and has lost his job after 11 years, in NYC.
Amy then lost her job and they moved to Missouri.  He borrows money from his twin sister and opens a bar.  It's their 5th wedding anniversary and the neighbor calls to inform Nick his front door is wide open with the cat on the porch. He hurries home to find things half done by Amy and she's nowhere to be found.
He had expected her to do her treasure hunt-one I used to do with kids I'd babysit for. She had left the kettle on the stove, iron on and things left unirioned-so unlike Amy. The book has alternating chapters from Amy, some from her diary over the years, dating back to when they first met and as their relationship matured over the years.
Other events come to the forefront: his sister helping him and their father who left the home he was in...
The notes to his treasure hunt with the help of the police take him on a journey of riddles that he can solve in hopes of finding her. The inlaws try to come to his rescue and help solve the mystery treasure hunt also and to shine light to Amy's past.
Infidelities and lies are a new way of life to help cope with his wife's turn away from him.  Cops come up with other bits of evidence, borrowing against her trust fund for the bar and to take care of his dying mother, gun purchase, blood on the floor, his wife was pregnant, life insurance policy, $$ cc due in his name only, staged things that aren't adding up and he hires a lawyer who he must not lie to...
Story also follows Amy and how she planned some things to make it point to Nick as the killer, she needs to punish him for what she knows.
Next surprises me and I feel they deserve one another and all their secrets and lies. Really indepth background work done for the planning stages.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Before We Kiss by Susan Mallory
Have read the other books in this very long series and feel that most of the story is playing catch up with the characters.
There is a town where it's run by all women. New charcters come into Fool's Gold and we catch up with the older ones still living there.
Sam Ridge, football star, hasn't made it very well with other females. Delina Hopkins, party planner and helps at the dress shop and she's raised her younger sisters. They had a past life together, 5 months earlier. They talk about that night and move on-he needs her as a party planner, in 4 weeks time.
Parents and their views was a bit much at times, I think the shock factor comes into play for the theme of the book. Book follows many of the other characters in town and their relationships. At times, if you have not followed the book from #1 you'd be lost as to who everybody is.
Story is very predictable, sex scenes are good. Like the ideas of the party and how the animals play a part and charity work.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


The Day the Crayons Quit by Dave Daywalt
Audio book about a boy who goes to school one day and finds letters written to him from his crayons.
They are angry because of the way Duncan cares for the crayons.
Red tells him how overworked he is with coloring for Valentines Day and around Christmas decorations.
Another tells that he needs to color inside the lines. Others complain about other crayons and how they are being used.
Love how one crayon doesn't have a wrapper on, too funny! Duncan has a solution to all their problems. With this audio version I am not able to see the end result but I can just imagine how perfect the drawing is.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Growing up in Coal Country by Suzanne Bogolettia
1830'a Boys growing up in Northeast PA area where coal mines were mined.
Damp, dark silence for low pay, it's where the immigrants went to start out in US.
Stories of how the boys unite and fight against unfair work ethics and how women stuck together to maintain their heritage.
Liked hearing of birds and other animals and how they played a big part in coal mining.
So educational with the detailed descriptions of the various jobs the boys worked at.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



I Have a Garden by Bob Barner
Audio book so not able to see all the things being displayed. Among the bugs and other flying insects
it shows other wonderful things that are found in a garden-flowers, a garden for all of us.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


The Escape by David Balducci
Kansas prison and with the storm and power being out and the backup generator not working all the cell doors open and we find that John Pullers' brother has left the prison
but a dead body has been put in his place. It's up to John to find out how and where his brother is. His brother was to be living at the DB for life as he was guilty.
Story also follows Bobby and how he changes his facial features, etc.  The feds have questioned their father who's in a nursing facility as he has not much of his memory left.
After he's interviewed he turns to Julie Carson to help him figure things out. He pairs up with Knox and they go over each of the details again and he finds out through various sources that his brother was in prison to save his family.
Love all the different angles and how they find more clues. Hard to follow at times with so many people involved and so surprised at how this all could point to the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


If You Knew Me by Ann Rouffe
Research scientist takes a year long sabbatical for one year. She meets a man and his disabled daughter.
Leah, over 30 is at the beach house in the winter. Ollie cares for his sister Sally.
They spend time together getting to know each other. Love the detailed descriptions of her walking on the beach, as if I am there. it's so explicit.
They each like to be alone but find companionship with one another also.
Like the talk of the book classics as that is what he teaches...
Fear and other emotions when Sally runs away, to the water. Secrets he kept from everybody that brings them all closer together.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Love Shack
This story follows the saga and is about Sky Alixander  who runs the rental of the bungalows.
Gage Lowell was at the beach after his time in the war zone, to heal.
He was a war photographer/journalist and has a twin, Griffin who we've read about in other bungalow stories.
Her letters had kept him alive and they had summered at the same beach years when they were all young.
Story also follows Holly, now a schoolteacher and she's reunited with her childhood friend, Tee who's also there for a month.
Hot steamy scenes only add to this beach read. Love descriptions of tidal pools.
Like the mystery of who is stalking her and how he handles it and her.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Bungalow Nights
Layla Parker runs the bakery and Vance Smith is the one soldier who returned to recuperate.
Summer nights on the coast where avocado is grown and it means it's the fertility fruit.
Problem is Layla's uncle hired her a nanny Vance, not thinking she is no longer 10.
He's recuperating from the war and he's heading back after he heals. There are hot steamy sex scenes. Love the area of the beach scenes.
#9 cottage appears to have magic as Griffin and Jane will marry soon and they spent a month there. Loved hearing of the rum runners as we had them here in RI in the day.
Story also follows Addy March and Baxter Smith and their relationship ups and downs.
Recipes included

Beach House #9 - Crescent Cove, CA Jane is to help a war hero write his story. Griffin lets her know he doesn't want her.  He's in party mode and she's in work mode and he has a deadline.
Hot steamy sex scenes. Love the detailed descriptions of the surrounding beach area. Love the pet names and how understanding and patient it takes him to take care of her and her needs.
Story also follows his sister and her family and their troubles.



Across the Green Ocean by Wendy Lee
This book was a bit more than what I thought. Loved all the detailed explicit descriptions of the scenery abroad and stateside along with what the characters were doing.
Starts out with the father dying and leaving a woman and her 2 kids, who are grown and don't live at home. Michael discovers letters written to the father and tracks down who he has to meet with in China to find out how they knew one another-as everything is forgiven the letter stated.
Emily is the grown and married daughter who works a lot of overtime and her pay shows for it although her spouse spends time making food for hours on end to please her. He wants kids and she never does, still.
Story goes back in time to how the parents met and their beliefs. Quite strong beliefs from the kids also come to the forefront and how they deal with them.
Love the mystery in this book but didn't expect the homosexual scenes to be so pronounced.
Liked what he discovers in China that helps him heal and helps him and others in the family move forward. 
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review


You're Only Old Once by Dr. Seuss
Funny at times when a man goes to his annual physical exam, he will be lucky to make it out with his clothes on.
Whimsical rhyming tale of how doctors will find something wrong with you and have you referred to yet another doctor although you are having no symptoms.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Just finishing up a sweater I custom made with all kinds of cabling patterns and thought I'd read about how Elizabeth uses her template.
Lots of tips along the way that trouble many of us with different problems.  This is an audio book but it is describing the diagrams of what is being discussed.
Gauge and the right percentage chart will guarantee a perfect fit. Patterns of items to be made are discussed row by row where the hard parts are. Lots of different techniques.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


White House Garden Cookbook, Healthy Ideas for your family from our family by Clara Silverstein
Recipes from the past presidents gardens to table. Also tells what the presidents and families had growing.
Story of how Michelle O'Bama started the kitchen garden and how the children helped along with other school age children.
Lots of recipes for the crops grown and lots of resource information from other agencies around the US that also grow crops to help feed others.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The High Cost of Dying, a guide to Funeral planning by Gregory Young
Great resource book to read prior to when you are going to need it for yourself or a loved one.
The many options available and how to avoid unnecessary charges.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The Silent Sister by Diane Chambarlain
Riley McPherson thought her sister committed suicide. It influenced her entire life and when her father dies she goes through his papers and finds out her sister is alive and on the run.
Secrets untold... she learns so much when others come forward when she is cleaning out her father's house and other dwellings.
Story also follows Lisa side to the story, the night she had died... Love travel and all the descriptions of the area, lifestyles.
Handful of characters that are easy to keep track of. What a change occurs when she discovers the real truth. Shocking but very believable.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Girlfriends, invisible bonds by Carmen Renee Berry and Tamara Trader
Female friendships are vital to a woman's growth. Opinions and bonds throughout a woman's life, starting at childhood stage.
Lots of stories through tough times and fun times. Authors ask for your stories to maybe include in their next book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Winter's Tale by  Jonathan Winters
Collection of winter stories that are quite unusual.
Short stories about winter months and related from the comic who made Mork and Mindy.
Liked the dance one and the pheasant hunting with his grandfather the best.
Military ones were quite somber and sad.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
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Relax you may only have a few minutes left: using power of humor to overcomes stress
Many examples of using humor to get over the stress in our lifes.
Just pretend to be a 8 year old and be silly-things we have done when we are around our grandson. We need to do these things when he's not even here. See how many heads we can turn.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg
His great aunt requests he stop in for a Christmas cop of tea. He doesn't want his past memories of her
to change so is reluctant to go visit her now after she's suffered a stroke. Rhyming sentences and he finds a
nice surprise when he does go-it's all the same as it used to be.  A holiday miracle.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Mr. Hobbs Vacation by Edward Schreeter
He and his family will go to Rock Harbor and their kids and their kids for a vacation.
He has it all planned out and that's not how things turn out...they are renting a place they've never seen.
He was so used to order and everything but happens....
Laugh out loud at all the mishaps as you have experienced some of them also...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


A Christmas Prayer 
Alexia Fletcher hasn't had a good Christmas since her mother died and now she's planning a life with her fiancee, Chase.
Know exactly how she feels as we lost not only my mom this past year but my mother in law. Just not into family gatherings...
She has cheerful memories of past spent holidays that would bring a smile to her face. She feels that she's further away from her sister and niece as the time goes by...she is putting off having sex with him til after the summer wedding.
She takes sleeping pills to help get over the pain of the holidays.
She finds comfort in church activities and prayers and that's where she had met Chase.  She is a motivational speaker and her earnings have increased over the years and wants to share the news with her mom.
The pastor wants them all to write their own Christmas prayer and she hopes with the words it will help heal her so she can move on and be happy with life again.
His widowed mother spends a lot of time with them and between the problems her sister has tossed her way Alexia has just had enough.
She ends up breaking up with Chase and the pastor tries to talk to them to reconcile...then a miracle happens.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Christmas Poems by Maya Cohen Livingstone
Different poems from many authors on the special day.
Some are silly and some are very traditional.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Weird New England, Your travel guide to New Englands local legends,  Best Kept Secrets by Joseph Citro
Lots of places to visit with the unusual especially in my back yard. Always good for a day trip.
4 statues of frogs sitting on spools of thread over the Willamantic River, CT would be a good photo op for us. Lots of other places around the New England area, day trips or a night at the hotel if you can plan for many visits to the sites. Ghost and cemetery stories also along with just strange sights.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Rock 'n Roll Heaven by Shawn Inmon
Starts out talking about the Black Velvet band on the road and the mixture of players, their ages varied and spread far along with their instruments and love of music.
Lot of details of what the musicians go through before and after going on stage.
Abuse of alcohol is discussed as it played a big part with Jimmy and Debbie.  He ends up in a crash with the tour bus and goes into rock and roll heaven where he meets up with legends in the music industry and they write a new song, Edge of Heaven.
He recalls that he should've treated others better in his past life-he knows now...then he wakes up, he's not dead at all... now how will he live the rest of his life. 
Many other works are highlighted at the end of this book among another short story.




Alf The Workshop Dog by Emma Calin
Won this book via a giveaway at Library Thing and was always fascinated with the creature we used to watch on TV every week.
We even have a hand puppet of the creature in the living room.
Pictures throughout the book along with QR codes to help tell the story of the little boy whose father and mother were king and queen of the land.
He tries to live up to what his father expects and sometimes doesn't always follow the lead and that lands him in trouble.
When the king dies he must return to rule the lands and with his dog they can do anything. He has gone through a lot and knows how he wants to run the land.
Lots of QR codes about free things to get and other information. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Enjoyed the book more than I realized as it's similar to Robin Hood times, being in the forest and ruling the lands.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

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